Romancing A Mystery

I rarely read anything other than western Historical Romance and am a closet wanna-be Historical Romance writer.  However, I do read and am a huge fan of mystery writer J.A. Jance, in particular her Joanna Brady series.   The character, Brady, is a modern day female sheriff in Cochise County, Arizona and centers around the town of Bisbee.  I got 'hooked' on these books thanks to my dad who is also an avid fan. 

Last Saturday, Ms. Jance was scheduled to appear at the Apache Junction Public Library.  I tried to talk dad into going.  I even drove over to the library ahead of time to see how far he might have to walk.  Unfortunatley, it was a bit far and he decided he would rather not attend.  I was disappointed but admitedly it would have been very difficult to get him in. 

My neighbor encouraged me to go without him as afterall dad would likely be napping while I would be away.  It makes me nervous to be gone when I think I might not be there when he wakes up but....I decided to do it!

I hustled back over to the library and grabbed a chair and waited anxiously as if I was about to meet a huge celebrity!  At the appointed time, Ms. Jance walked right beside me and up to the podium.  It was doubly exciting for me, being the rescue dog person I am,  as she had Bella the Tour Dog with her.  Bella, a mini Dachschund was rescued by the author and now attends tours with her everywhere she goes! 

Bella's outline standing on the table beside Ms. Jance

Bella and the author's husband

She related how the little dog had come into her life and now attends all her book signings.  I already knew Bella's story because I follow Ms. Jance's Blog but I enjoyed listening to her every word on the subject as well as the discussion about her newest book (not a Joanna Brady book, book but I didn't care!).  I even managed to be the first one to ask her a question after the discussion was over. 

My dream for years has been to write a western romance set in the Superstition Mountains but lately, before I even knew Ms. Jance was coming to town, I've been toying with the idea of trying my hand at a modern day murder mystery.  I have some ideas about people and some scene ideas but that's about it.  I asked Ms. Jance if, when she sits down to write a book, does she have it all worked out in her head before she ever starts or do her characters write the book for her.  Basically she told the audience, her characters write the story for her.  She does start with a dead body in mind though, as she is afterall, "a murder mystery writer!"  That was like a light bulb going off in my head....."ahhhh so that's how you do it!"  Get the body first and solve the mystery from there!  Kinda like the CSI shows on TV.  I get it now!!!

After all the questions had been answered, Ms Jance would be signing copies of her books.   I waited patiently (and excitedly) in a long line to meet the author and have my book signed.  It was finally my turn!  I handed over my book, and told her how much I love the Joanna Brady series and that I was just as excited to meet Bella as I was her since I am a dog rescue person myself. 

I'm not sure she was all that pleased that I was equally excited about meeting her dog as well as her!  Since the book she was promoting was a character from another series that I don't read, I didn't purchase the book being sold. Instead had taken a paperback book from the Joanna Brady series that I love.  Many other people had purchased her new book just out in hardback and were getting their photos taken behind the trio with Ms. Jance holding up the new book.  However, when it came time for my photo, she took the next person in line and started signing his book....no posing! 

I don't know if it was because I hadn't purchased her new book or that I was a fan of Bella's!  At first I was taken aback thinking to myself,  "hey wait a minute you didn't pose for me!"  But then.....take a look where my hand ended up in the photo.  Yep....right there petting Bella!  At that point it didn't matter that she wasn't looking directly at my camera.  I got an afternoon out to do something for me!  I met an author that I enjoy reading!  I learned something about the craft of writing......and......I got to pet the dog!  

Doesn't get much better than that now does it!!

That's Amore!

The moon was full.  Valentine's Day was nigh.  Love was in the air!!

Frosty: "Ahhhh.....new girl on the block, let me whisper sweet nothings in your ear, me amore"!

Twister: "Excuse me!   YICK, EWWW!!!   Who do you think you are buddy"?


Frosty:  "Well that didn't go over so well".

Archie "Speaks"

Hi!  

My name is Archie and I REALLY want to find my forever home, could you be the one?  I'm an 8 year old English Cocker Spaniel.  I am sweet and loving to my foster mom but I sometimes get upset with strangers that come into the house when I am in my crate.  It makes me feel scared and trapped.  My foster mom had an Animal Behaviorist come to see me and she gave us some very easy to implement techniques so I don't feel so anxious about new people and to learn that visitors can be trusted!  It works!!

I love to give kisses when my fur mom says, "kiss" and I know what "sit" and "down" means.  I'm house trained too and I get along with the other dog that lives with my foster mom.  He's full-time and that's all I want to be, somebody's full-time buddy that I can hang out with!  I really only want to live in an adult home as kids make me nervous.  I'm up to date with all my shots.   

I was abandoned and left chained in a horse stall without food and water when a kind person rescued me.  I just want to feel safe, loved and live in a home with a quiet lifestyle.  I would be GREAT for a mature person and would be such a wonderful companion.  Could you please be my 'forever home'?  Wouldn't it be great if I could have a home for Valentine's Day!!!



*Archie currently resides with his foster mom in Pennsylvania whom he adores, but he really wants a mom of his very own.  We can help you work out transport for Archie too!  If you or someone you know can provide the kind of home Archie is searching for and want more information about him please contact:
Karen Florentine  kfloren@ptd.net   Foster mom

You can also complete an Adoption Application found at:
http://www.ecsca.org/adoptionform.html  and forward to
Karen Kirby, ECSCA Rescue Chair
fencerow@sbcglobal.net


Archie is just one of several dogs the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America has in it's Rescue program right now.

A Lissa Update

Got a picture today of Lissa in her new foster home.

 That's her with her brother Ian and her new foster dad Michael.  She still has a bit of a fearful look in her eyes but Michael says she is relaxing more each day.  Lissa is still afraid to go outside but it is easier on her when the other Greyhounds she is living with go out too.  

I'm glad she's doing better!

Mixed Emotions

I am foster-less.

I got word on Thursday that Lissa was going to a new foster home.  I was immediately worried.  Did I fail?  Did I not do enough for her, did I share her problems too much which maybe sounded like complaining?  How would this affect her, would she feel abandoned again?

 

Not to mention in the last two weeks we had started to bond and Lissa had been making some improvements.  In fact, at night she would lay at my chair with my bare feet resting on her back! 

Arrangements were made for her to be picked up by Michael yesterday morning.  I learned that he has three Greyhounds, one of which was Lissa's brother who came to him in the same condition Lissa was and that he has come out of his shell under Michael's tutelage.  I felt better, but still worried about her.  Especially after the Animal Communicator's reading telling me that Lissa felt abandoned.

On Friday night before bed I told her about the changes that would be happening.  That she would be with her brother and this would be a good thing and that it will most likely turn out to be her 'forever' home.  But I still felt sad and concerned for her.  

Saturday morning when I got her breakfast she was shaking which made me feel even worse.  "She know's", I thought, "and she's scared".  Then something really odd happened.  She started playing.  Jumping in the air and galloping toward me AND.....bumping my cheek with her nose!  Not just once, but half a dozen times she did this!!!  And I felt even worse.  She likes me and she's leaving me and it's really going to upset her world all over again.  It felt awful.  Good, but awful.  

My feelings however, all changed at 10am Saturday when Michael knocked on my door.  He  brought with him Alli, one of his Greyhound girls that is an extremely nurturing dog and had helped bring Ian, Lissa's brother out of his shell.  Alli walked in the door like she owned the place, Michael stood back and Alli and I headed to the living room where Lissa was.  

OH MY GOODNESS!  Lissa took one look at Alli, jumped up toward her wagging her tail in greeting.  She was so happy to see one of her kind!  So happy and focused on Alli, that Lissa barely paid any attention to Michael as he sat down on the couch. 

Alli and dad

We sat and talked for about a half hour, discussing Lissa's problems, her routine and so forth.  Then, Michael suggested we go for a walk with the girls!  A walk....I can barely get Lissa out the door to the yard to go to the bathroom much less a walk.  

I leashed up both girls however, and headed out the door.  As usual, Lissa didn't want to go but Alli was out the door right away.  Finally Lissa decided it must be ok since Alli and I were on the other side of the door waiting for her.  Off we went with Michael behind.  Lo and behold, we ended up walking around several blocks before heading back to the house.  We stopped at Michaels minivan to do a training exercise.  He slid the side door open and Alli hopped in.  After a few seconds, Lissa hopped in.  I went around to the other door, opened it, out came Alli and out came Lissa.  Back into the house we went and packed up Lissa's things.  

 And there she is in the back of Michael's van ready to go on to the next step in her journey. 

It's always sad when any foster leaves me.  It leaves a hole, an empty place and the house seems different, quiet.  And even though I had a whole realm of mixed emotions on this one......Lissa is without a doubt....in the right place at the right time, for her. 

Lissa has Company

When Lissa came to me to stay for awhile she had been in a previous foster home for nine months.  The hope was that Lissa might come out of her shell more in a different surrounding and eventually be adoptable.  

As you all know, it's been difficult for Lissa and she is a scared little girl.  She quakes in the presence of strangers so when I got a call from her former foster mother who wanted to come and visit her, I was anxious to see how Lissa would react.  


Debbie brought her two kids who barreled into the house anxious to see Lissa.  I was immediately 'on alert' fully expecting her to bolt through the house and hide.  Boy did I get a surprise!

Lissa never moved, she heard and recognized the kids voices as they came in the house.  That is Debbie, the former foster mom in pink and her son.  Believe it or not, her daughter is scrunched in there too next to mom and brother!!   The look on Lissa's face was priceless, she actually looked relaxed!!!  It was all I could do not to cry.  


I think the visit helped Lissa to know or understand that her former people were still 'out there'.  She seems even more relaxed in the last few days since they were here.  I 'think' she may have been very distressed by their disappearance even though it was she that left them! 


And, oh by the way.....do you remember the 'reading' the Animal Communicator did on Lissa?  (a couple of post's back)  Lissa had given the name 'Frank' to the AC and told her she loved 'Frank'.  I thought perhaps Debbie's husbands name was Frank, but no.  However, guess what.....Debbie found out that there IS a Frank at the farm where Lissa was raised!!!  

Hmmmmmm!  You just never know!  

 

Lissa Update Part Two

It's been several days since Lissa's 'reading' by the animal communicator. 

After the initial reading I asked the communicator to let Lissa know that it is not alright to do her 'thing' in the house and I got the response below. 

I suggested to her that doing her business outside is something that is fun but she keeps telling me that it hurts, no not like an infection…. More like “eeewwwww I don’t like this”.  I still get that she likes her privacy and she doesn’t feel protected out there….coyotes?  Alerts… too open… snake!  Wow… she’s going ADHD on me. 

Unfortunately we've had two more accidents in the house and I still have to drag her to the door to get her outside.  But, I can say she does seem a little bit calmer.  Maybe that is because of what the communicator told me next?

One thing that she tells me is she loves to have her eyes rubbed with the heal of your hands.  It’s almost like “mom” is caring for her.  I feel she has a level of trust with you and is easing into it.  I get that her ears picked up with the mention of forever home and that she was in the process of getting one.  I get the sense that she’s glad to know that there is at least a destination at the end of this journey. 

So....maybe not the end result I had hoped for but there are rarely any easy answers in life!  At least I have learned that she does like hotdogs and they will motivate her a tiny bit.  I have managed to get her to walk halfway down the hall to the front door by dropping hot dog pieces on the floor in front of her.  

Baby steps....baby steps!

Lissa Update

Several of you have asked about my newest foster, Lissa and how we are getting along. 

This is what she does most of the time!  

Snoozing away on the living room floor. 

The rest of the time......not so good!  She constantly challenges me and if we manage to take one step forward, she steps back three!  Sometimes I catch myself thinking that the dog is going to get the best of me and I've never had that happen.  

She is scared to death to go outside and I have to pull her down the hall and out the front door!  Often when we get to her bathroom spot, she spins, whirls and pulls me to get back inside.  Needless to say, she has fooled me quite a few times thinking she was 'done' with her business when she was not.  The problem with this is, whenever I am not looking.....she finishes her business inside on the dining room carpet.  She is smart like that, knowing just when to do it so I can't catch her in the act.  Now, I've house-trained lots of dogs before but always use a crate.  I don't have a crate for her nor would she go in one if I did.  I tried putting her inside of an exercise pen (a metal portable folding fence) and that was a disaster because she freaked out so badly.  

I bought a great little Bissell Green Machine and every time I am down on the carpet scrubbing away, she is laying comfortably on the living room floor giving me the 'eye'.  Like she is saying,  "See what you made me do because you forced me to go outside"!  She knows exactly what she's done and that it is wrong, wrong, wrong!  She knows that I won't correct her if she isn't seen doing it.  Have I mentioned that she is one smart cookie?

So, in frustration and talking about this problem with my foster coordinator, she decided it was time to try an Animal Communicator to talk some sense into Lissa.  A what?!  Ok......I am open to anything if it will help. So, the Communicator was contacted and pictures of Lissa emailed to her.  She is in Georgia, I'm in Arizona and this reading is all done telepathically.  Nothing to do now but wait.  

Then, out of the blue yesterday, I received the following email:

She tells me that when she’s outside it gives her a prickly feeling, like being electrically charged, static snapping, everything is sharp and her feet are tender.  I get the feeling there might be a crack in her one or more of her pads? I also get that she’s feeling pretty stressed about what is hers, if she’s wanted and where she’s going from here.  She’s afraid of abandonment, and a “revolving door”.  She’s not getting anything that she’s used to so her comfort zone has been destroyed.  She’s used to being in control and now she’s not.  She’s trying her best to control you to make herself feel more comfortable as she isn’t aware that there is a clear alpha in the pack since she’s not allowing herself to be open to the rules.

 

The front door is facing the wrong direction, I get that there is a huge brightness when the door is opened which she is not used to.  She tells me that it is huge… the door, and the light is shockingly bright.

 

I get that she will continue to try and control the situation by acting out the only way she knows gets her results until she relaxes enough into a role/slot she belongs in.  But right now she does not trust what is going on around her is in her best interest and she doesn’t have the personality of going with the flow.

 

She shows me a picture of a hotdog… I think she really liked or likes hotdogs.  This might work to your advantage ;-)

Well to say I was surprised by some of what she wrote is an understatement!  First, Gail the Animal Communicator, doesn't know where we live.  She doesn't know that Lissa goes outside to the bathroom on rocky dirt ground because I can't get her to go to the dog park where the grass is.  I did check her feet completely but found no cracks in her pads.  

What really blew me away though was the comment about the door.  There is no way in the world for Gail to have known anything about my front door.  The door, faces east/southeast but is only slightly larger than a normal door, but the porch it opens onto is big!  And there is the light situation, the shockingly bright light.  Ok are you ready for this photo?

 This picture was taken today.  The hallway leading to the door is dark, but....need I say more about the "shockingly bright light"!!!!

Stay tuned for part II of the reading! 

 

Lissa has a Visitor

My foster Greyhound has proved to be anything but boring!  She challenges me everyday.  Most days it's like taking one step forward and three steps back.  

I had a day boarder last week and just had to share a couple of photos of Spike and Lissa.  They look like twins, short and tall, Mutt and Jeff!!

Me:  Spike, meet Lissa.  Lissa, meet Spike.

Lissa:  What is that thing?  Did his legs forget to grow??  


Spike:  EXCUSE me!  My legs are just fine.  What are you doing wearing that sissy pink coat anyway!

Lissa:  Well for your information buddy, I'm a greyhound and it's cold out.


Spike:  For your information, it's Spike not buddy and you look like a girly dog

Me:  Ok, you two that's enough.  

And that.....was the end of that!

Rescue Newsletter

 I know that most of my readers aren't English Cocker Spaniel owners but many of you have followed my foster dog Dottie's story from last spring.   You all know about my passion for dogs and that I recently accepted the position of interim Rescue Chair for English Cocker Spaniel Rescue, so thought I'd share our first ever Rescue Newsletter.

http://www.ecsca.org/ECSCArescuenewsletter.pdf

And besides....there are several wonderful dogs there looking for their 'furever' homes and one of them might be right for you!!!

 Like this one....Archie who is in Pennsylvania!  

You can read about him in the newsletter!!!

 OH....and I have an English Cocker Spaniel in the Chicago Heights Animal Shelter (Chicago, IL) that we are trying to 'spring' out but I need a foster home for him.  

 This is Spider!

If you live nearby, or a bit farther,(we can always work out transportation) and can open your home to Spider, fostering is a wonderfully rewarding thing to do!  Just let me know and I can set you up!!

Happy Tails and hope you enjoy our newsletter!

Absent but not Absent-minded

I have been far away from blogging these days.  I haven't even had time to read many of my favorite blogs either and I love to stay on top of what's going on in those worlds!   

There is a reason though, I can explain.  I certainly haven't been absent-minded, more like I've been overwhelmed-minded!  You see, about a month and a half ago I took on a new challenge.  I stepped up to become the Interim Rescue Chairman for the National English Cocker Spaniel Club Rescue.  It could be worse, English Cocker Spaniels are still fairly uncommon in the USA so thankfully, when I took over we only had about 14 dogs under our care.  But still.....it has been difficult because these dogs are spread out all over the US.  Sometimes there just aren't enough resources to help a specific dog in need.  The most challenging job seems to be finding foster homes.   A foster home is someone who takes in the dog and cares for it like one of their own until the dog is adopted.  

Not only are foster homes in short supply so is our funding.  It doesn't take long to run through our money when many of the dogs we take in have significant medical issues.  One dog had 26 teeth pulled, several others came in heartworm positive.  All need to be vaccinated and/or spayed or neutered.  

Recently we took in this adorable young boy from the San Bernardino, CA shelter.  

He was found wandering the streets, emaciated, scared and weighing only 15 lbs when he should weigh at least 25.  Thankfully a foster parent was found here in Phoenix, AZ and he is doing better but he was seriously ill due to stress and being so hungry.  He required a visit to the emergency dog hospital where ECSCA (English Cocker Spaniel Club of America) incurred a bill for over $400.  We will still have additional costs as he, Westley, must be neutered and vaccinated once he is feeling better.  

My role as Chair is volunteer and challenging without a doubt, but the rewards are awesome.  I am excited to share that some of Westley's medical bills are being 'sponsored' by a fourth and fifth grade class in Knoxville, TN.  Their teacher is a member of our National Club and her class is selling school supplies to other students and donating 40% of the proceeds to Rescue in Westley's honor!  WOW!!  The students will be receiving pictures of Westley and communications from his foster mom as well. 

Of course, you don't have to be a club member to sponsor one of our Rescue furkids.  If you are interested in coordinating a project like this for your students, friends or group, please let me know and I can set you up.   Or should you just feel inclined to make a donation that can be done at:
http://www.ecsca.org/store.html#donate  Scroll down the page to 'Rescue' and make a Paypal donation.  


You can also go to this page, http://www.ecsca.org/rescuehome.html to see some of the other dogs we have in Rescue that are ready to be adopted by a 'furever' home, could that be you???


So, now you know....that's why I have been absent lately! 



 

Caught 'cha!!!

 

Hey Lissa....is that you in the kitchen!!!!!

Oh my gosh...this is a HUGE improvement for her to set foot in the kitchen!  It's a good thing I 'caught' it on camera or I probably wouldn't believe it.

Lissa - 1   Foster Home - 1 

Now we're even!!!

Pebbles Gets Dressed Up

You may remember my foster pup, Pebbles.  She had to go to a new foster home before I left for Arizona and Jaimie, her new foster mom, is so good to send me updates and photos!


Just love the Halloween Costume Jaimie dressed her up in!!

Doesn't she make the cutest little lady bug ever!

A Busy Week

This first full week back in Arizona has flown by.  Baby brother and his wife left last Sunday and I've been busy ever since settling in and unpacking.  

Of course, folks have figured out I'm back, maybe because of the vehicle in the driveway but whatever!  At any rate, I am back to grooming and boarding this week with a total of three groom jobs and one day boarder!  

Yes, I had to venture into the dog grooming shed where I knew that baby rattler could be hiding.  Thankfully, I've not seen hide nor skin of him since and that's fine with me.   Hoping it was too noisy around here for him and he has slithered on.  Trust me though.....I am VERY cautious and constantly looking around!  

I must say it is very, very nice to have my 'regulars' come back to see me and see them get so excited.  Well.....mostly excited.  Tigger hates grooming and he knew right where he was this morning when his hu'mom dropped him off!  Dogs DO remember things!  

 

This is Nellie.  She came to board for the day and was SOOOO excited to be here though she's looks pretty relaxed in this photo!  

When she came in the door she wiggled and groaned and carried on to get my attention.  Sure makes me feel good!